Mutoh has had numerous successes both as himself and as his more famous Great Muta alter ego, and is known as a legend and instantly the person Western fans think of when they think about Japanese Puroresu (a close second being Jushin Thunder Liger). Hailed as the kayfabe son of The Great Kabuki, he quickly rose through and became one of the top stars through the 80s, 90s, and still competes to this day. He is a multiple-time IWGP World Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion as well as former NWA Television, World Heavyweight and WCW Tag Champion, among numerous other titles and reigns. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1999.

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Tropes related to the Great Muta:

Author Appeal: His "Puroresu Love" philosophy. Mutoh's preferences when booking wrestling are hard to pin down, but he seems to favour a more gimmicky, Americanized approach to the business as opposed to the stern puroresu style, along with eclectic elements like lucha libre and commercialized events like the APEMAN festivals and the AV tournament cups.

Cool Old Guy: Flies overseas to support his Wrestle 1 employees even in while they work for foreign companies.

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Cool Mask: In his original Great Muta gimmick, he often wore elaborate robes with hoods or masks to the ring, ESPECIALLY in Japan.

Expy: Of the Great Kabuki in faint paint and "poison fog". Outside of looks, Yoshihiro Tajiri is more like him, being a sort of bridge between the two, as Muta is different enough from Kabuki to inspire even more expies than Kabuki. He took a liking Tajiri and the two became tag team partners.

FaceHeel Turn: In 1997 Muta returned to WCW brought in by Sonny Onoo to get revenge on Masahiro Chono, but instead during the match he attacks Onoo and accepts Chono's shirt offer joining nWo Japan.

Hoist by His Own Petard: During a match with Jushin Thunder Liger, Muta ripped off part of Liger's outfit and his mask, only to have Liger to reveal that his face was covered with face paint similar to Muta's and then spray Muta's eyes with Green Mist.

How Much More Can He Take?: There's a reason The Muta Scale is named after him after his legendary brutal match with Hiroshi Hase. Not for the faint of heart.

I Have Many Names: Keiji Mutoh, White Ninja, Super Black Ninja, Space Lone Wolf and of course, The Great Muta

I Know Judo: A judo champion and black belt, what was the reason he was contacted by Satoru Sayama and brought to NJPW. However, this was also the reason he ended leaving the company years after, as Antonio Inoki was avid to send legit wrestlers like him to fight in Mixed Martial Arts, and Muto was Genre Savvy enough to exit New Japan before being packed to face some MMA legend.

Lightning Bruiser: Muta in his prime was not only fast and quick but he was also strong as well.

Maniac Tongue: And sticking it out after staining his mouth with mist just enhance the effect.

Mask Power: Started to wear a mask instead of his face paint after he shaved his head when he adopted his Muta persona.

Merchandise-Driven: His "Puroresu Love" direction for All Japan Pro Wrestling was based on getting merchandise deals, which ended up lifting the promotion out of its financial hole even though it remained behind New Japan and NOAH. As far as shows go, it didn't do much for foreigners, many of whom couldn't understand the language, much less the Japanese market beyond wrestling tapes.

Mighty Glacier: It's been argued that he's less mobile than the Great Khali (!) in his later career, yet its still universally agreed he's a better a wrestler.

Parody: The Great Nita(FMW), The Great Ruta(TARU in Toryumon Japan and All Japan), Lingerie Mutoh(Munenori Sawa in Zero 1) and more. He's had the chance to beat up many of his mockers at least.

Red Baron: Was introduced as The Pearl of The Orient during his time in WCW. While in NJPW, Mutoh was referred to as the Natural Born Master.

Screw This, I'm Outta Here!: After resigning in shame from All Japan, Speed Partners president Nobuo Shiraishi fired Mutoh's friend and All Japan President Masayuki Uchida, making himself president in his place. Shiraishi proceeded to nearly run All Japan into the ground and alienate it from the rest of the puroresu community by badmouthing the other major promotions as he did so, leading Muta to try and buy back his shares in the company. His offers were refused in favor of Shiraishi preparing for bankruptcy, which lead to Andy Wu, Seiya Sanda, Ryota Hama, Kai, Kaz Hayashi, Masayuki Kono, Masakatsu Funaki, Minoru Takada, Hiroshi Yamato, Koji Kanemoto, and Yasufumi Nakanoue all publicly resigning and swearing loyalty to Keiji Mutoh, who saw to it they would have another place to work.* All Japan ended up avoiding bankruptcy due in part to Jun Akiyama making a more direct power grab.

Signature Move: A reverse Indian death lock bridging chin lock combination known as the Muta Lock. In the early 2000s, it was pretty much a go to finishing submission.

Start My Own: Formed his own promotion, Wrestle-1, after leaving All Japan and taking many wrestlers with him when he did.

Still Got It: In 2001 many believed that Muta's career was over as all the years were taking a toll on him. But he disagreed, eliminating his high flying offense which had put such a strain on his knees, Muta then switched to a more technical and submission style of wrestling and made The Shining Wizard (A running leaping knee to a kneeled opponent's head) his finisher and was voted as 2001's Wrestler Of The Year.

For those who wonder where the term Asian Mist comes from, look up videos of him as The Great Muta. It was originally known as the poison fog when introduced to professional wrestling by the Great Kabuki, which is why in the USA the kayfabe Wrestling Family for two men who otherwise wrestled completely different styles was used. The Great Muta's infamous Green Mist is his most well known and feared technique he possesses as you never know when he can hit you with it and it leaves the recipient blind.

And he's not above spitting out different colors and variations either, sometimes it's red, yellow, or (rarely) black.

The Rival: Numerous rivals over his career; Sting and Masahiro Chono are probably the two best examples. TNA did a send up to the Sting rivalry with Mr. Anderson as Sting and Eric Young as Muta. Despite mocking Young as "The not so great Muta" Eric still won.

The Stoic: Which did not translate into good parenting skills towards Monster Bono.

Too Many Belts: He's won enough title belts to wear them as a suit of armor.

Tweener: He was loved by the women who attended WCW events but it was insisted by management that he and the other "Asians" stay heels.

Unholy Matrimony: In Hustle (where else) when his mist got on the crotch of Yinling The Erotic Terrorist and lead to her pregnancy. The two would then have to raise Monster Bono.

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